HK Diner

Time Out says

4 out of 5 stars

Details

Users say
(19)

2 out of 5 stars

Time Out says

4 out of 5 stars

Pay attention as you walk along Wardour Street, adjacent to Leicester Square – it’s easy to miss HK Diner’s narrow frontage. The interior is bigger than you might expect, and staff will hasten you towards any unoccupied booth seating.

The menu covers Chinese standards, such as roast duck (impessively succulent) and various Chinese greens stir-fried with your choice of sauce, but on our last visit we were most struck by the generosity of the seafood (scallops, carved squid) in a noodle dish. Everything was perfectly cooked and the service was gracious, which is reflected in the prices being a little higher than the Wardour Street norm.

The bubble teas (a long list, from mango to iced red bean with coconut milk) are excellent, and, usefully for night owls, the place is open until 4am daily. Note there’s a minimum £6 a head charge.

I will avoid this restaurant for sure even though I come from HK. The service is absolutely terrifying because when we were discussing what to order, the waitress was staring at us impolitely, telling us to order quicker (it wasn't even in pitch hour, and he just thought that we were wasting his time), the food is very average as well.

This place should really not be so highly recommended. so many other places that are better. very average food. The fact that when we went it was quiet yet the rest of Chinatown was heaving says it all.

Beautiful Peking Duck and ask for the Poached Egg, wonderful soy sauce and fresh ginger notes. The service is as every other Chinese restaurant - brisk and efficient. Great Authentic Chinese, listen to the 'locals' not the tourists as to where to eat.

We had a very nice lunch at HK yesterday. We were asked whether we wanted the starter first and the mains were served shortly after we had finished it. Portions were generous and tasty.

It would be nice if there were half portions of the vegetable dishes on the menu. Three or four people can consume one vegetable dish in addition to their mains, but two can't. (I know that wouldn't be the Chinese way of eating, but...)

Thanks for drawing this place to our attention. Our default Chinatown place has gone off the boil and we were looking for somewhere new.

This restaurant is over-rated and overpriced. I would avoid it. Small portions, average food, hopeless ambiance. I can believe I got duped by the reviews below into going. So many other places I should have explored. Sorry to not be more positive!

Had a really disappointing, bog standard, meal at HK Diner last night. Don't know if there has been a catastrophic change of ownership or something but the food (we had duck in ginger and pineapple, pork belly, and oily SF rice) was the same quality as any Chinese takeaway. They have Lobster on the menu (at £25) so I asked it if was fresh. 'Yes' the waitress said. 'From your tank?' I asked. 'No, fresh frozen'. People next to me had requests for no sauce and no shrimp with their noodles ignored. And it's expensive for Chinatown. Avoid.

£96 for two people without alcohol... food was mediocre, underseasoned and overcooked. I really wish that London had late night restaurants befitting a global city, and the only options weren't disappointing Chinatown places like this one.

Great disappointment. After reading the reviews, we thought we were in for a treat. The result: a very expensive and rather average standard China Town meal. Out of curiosity we ordered a cocktail called 'repulse' and it really lived up to its name. The other drink, reportedly a piña colada, was closer to tinned coconut milk than anything else I've tasted before. Maybe we should have gone for the bubble tea! If it wasn't for the undeserved good reputation and the extortionate price (hiked up by hidden tip), it would be an OK option but, as it is, it can only disappoint. Best avoided.

I've been here a few times and each time the customer service was horrible. I thought maybe it was just the individual waiter that served us the first time, he sat us down and didn't come to take our order for 20mins, it was noon it wasn't even busy then, the guy was moody & rude when serving us but what ever. (Rice was dry/hard -___-")
Last night when I went it was extremely busy so I understood everyone working was probably stressing, I asked if there was any recommendations the woman pointed to the menu and said "there's the menu, look at it" she was probably just under pressure and trying to get us to order quickly which is fine, but her attitude was so rude! We were only there for 30mins & a different lady tried to kick us out saying that there are people waiting, we didn't get our last order at that point, when we was eating & drinking they brought over the check and just chucked it on the table and walked off. Gosh all the people there had horrible horrible customer service, all 3 people that approached us, it was unwelcoming and uncomfortable. I guess if you want a place to eat at your own pace & socialise a little this would not be the right place.

Having travelled nearly all over the world, and being from Hong kong originally , it was really great to find a restaurant that actually resembles food that would be served in my home town. I had the Roasted duck and crispy pork and a mango bubble tea, lovely.
as it was fully of Chinese students at the time I knew I couldn't be far from a decent
meal! Highly recommended authentic food . Than manager was a gas!!

I read the reviews at this site and decided to eat here. First off, don't eat here. If you do, don't order the baked rice. The post earlier said portugese baked rice and it is nothing close to it. You get an option of cream or bbq sauce. Second, the portions are small for the price. In addition all the comments about the Chinese ripping you off on the additional tips are right. In all my experience throughout my travels in Europe including other Chinatowns, the tip is included in the food price (as with the tax). We got charged an additional 10% on top of the total price. I didn't pay it as the service was not spectacular and didn't deserve the tip. When we left the restaurant, we were chased down and asked to give an increased amount. The lady said that we didn't pay enough. When I asked her if I paid my bill, she responded yes. I did pay my bill even though the food was extremely disappointing. The people who say this place is good have never been to NYC Chinatown or Hong Kong for some real Cantonese food and Portugese baked rice. Normally, I'm a big tipper, but our meal came out to 27 pounds for 3 dishes which is about $40 USD. Very disappointed at Time Out London reviewers.

I love this restaurant! I went there with friends last night and it was so busy with English and Chinese alike. The atmosphere was great, and the food.... WOW, it was the most authentic I have tasted and I AM Chinese! You must have the melt in the mouth fillet steak and Portuguese baked rice with pork chops. And don't forget the starter of steamed scollops.. I really don't understand the people who wrote negative reviews, the service I received was courteous and efficient.if you want all the fake smiles from some restaurants and get ripped off at the same time then don't come here! I will be coming here for Chinese meals from now on.

Come here for lunch every week. Its great. Really good food. Never have had problem with service. Good price. The best in Chinatown.
As for the negative reviews...Athina, a restaurant is not a place for you to sit and do interviews once you've finished eating. Angie C Chinese hospitality in China Town is not like the OTT service you get in the States!

Worst Service in ALL of Chinatown!!!!
Food is poor...I have seen better chinese food in an indian takeaway!!!
If you like to be given the recipt before you even order anything....this is the place to go!!!
Avoid at all costs!!!!